Author Archives: Earl Reed

The United States twice gave away leads, and series of poor penalty takes opened the door for Japan as they captured the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The match was dominated for large portions by the United States. The first … Continue reading →

If, for whatever reason, you’ve dismissed the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup and didn’t bother to watch this afternoon’s war between the United States and Brazil, you missed one helluva match. Some might call it the greatest finish in US … Continue reading →

July 9, 2011: One of the most memorable days in Women’s World Cup history. If there was anything that could upstage the brilliant cat-and-mouse match won by France over England, it was a determined Japanese squad that deposed the host … Continue reading →

I tend to consider tactics and Major League Soccer like an unabridged dictionary in a fourth grade classroom. While the study and employment of tactics within MLS happens, there is less tactical sophistication in MLS than in the more established … Continue reading →

The Philadelphia Union had gone nearly a month since their previous victory. The home side overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Chivas USA 3-2. For the second match in a row, manager Peter Nowak fielded a combination 4-1-4-1/4-1-3-2 shape, with … Continue reading →

When MLS announced a partnership with OptaSports before the beginning of the 2011 season, there were hopes that a new level of statistical and tactical analysis would be on the horizon. Those days are here. (h/t the Brotherly Game Twitter … Continue reading →

On Wednesday, the United States Men’s National Team looked to avenge their Group Stage defeat to Panama at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. Two second-half substitutes contributed to Clint Dempsey’s clincher, as the Americans secured their place in the CONCACAF … Continue reading →

The United States reasserted their position within the CONCACAF region, by defeating Group B winners Jamaica 2-0 at RFK Stadium. Theodore Whitmore decided to start in a 3-4-3 formation for Jamaica. The three back formation allowed Demar Phillips and Eric … Continue reading →

I have always been a statistics nut. The love of the numbers behind sports came early for me, as a young boy “keeping book” for my Yankees (I am now a rehabilitated Yankees fan, firmly rooting for my local Phillies … Continue reading →

The US Men’s National Team knew they needed a quality performance against a lesser side on Tuesday night. They dominated the match, but only managed a 1-0 victory over Guadeloupe, after squandering countless chances to put the match out of … Continue reading →

Entering this 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the United States Men’s National Team had it’s issues. Most figured they would ultimately be exposed in the late stages of the tournament. Instead, those problems, coupled with a lackluster first-half performance, contributed to … Continue reading →

In the months since the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Jozy Altidore has been a source of much frustration for United States men’s soccer fans. Tonight he showed America why his Coach Bob Bradley continues to have faith in him. Altidore … Continue reading →

It’s been a long…but fun, year. About 51 weeks and several hours ago, my football obsession began. As Robert Green spilled a Clint Dempsey shot over the goal line last June, my interest was stirred. At the time, I didn’t … Continue reading →

In their final preparation match for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the United States were outclassed by the 2010 FIFA World Cup winners Spain, as the visitors dominated 4-0. The Americans came into this match simply wanting to stay healthy, while … Continue reading →

Before the season, the Philadelphia Union offense may have been thought of as a three-headed monster. Last year, the duo of Danny Mwanga and Sebastien LeToux accounted for 60% of the goals scored by the team. Adding the unpredictable Carlos … Continue reading →

A Beckham-less Galaxy squad flew into the City of Brotherly Love, dominated much of the match, but only took one point back to Southern California as the Union capitalized on a defensive error. The match was mostly a battle of … Continue reading →

Sunday’s clash between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford featured two teams set on trying to win the Premier League title. There was only one victor, as we know, but what happened on the pitch – in the form … Continue reading →

Soccer fans will long remember the Chelsea against Tottenham Hotspur match from April 30, 2011. It featured a wonderful long-range effort from Sandro, followed by a controversial goal awarded to Frank Lampard and then a winner from Chelsea which, if … Continue reading →